Santa Barbara, Calif. – College football fans on the Central Coast saw two very different outcomes on Saturday. At Spanos Stadium, the San Diego Toreros, a non‑scholarship program, pulled off a stunning 38‑35 victory over the Cal Poly Mustangs with a 38‑yard field goal by Emiliano Salazar as the clock hit zero. The win came in front of a crowd of 10,259, a solid turnout for a regional matchup.
Cal Poly’s Late Surge Not Enough
Cal Poly rallied from a 14‑point deficit in the second half, tying the game at 35‑35 after touchdowns from Tayvion McCoy and Fide Pitts. Quarterback Anthony Grigsby Jr. threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Jaden Green rushed for a team‑best 126 yards on 17 carries. Former Bishop Diego High School star Misa Paiau also contributed a 26‑yard touchdown run that tied the game at 14, though an injury forced him out of the remainder of the contest.
Despite the comeback, the Mustangs could not hold on. Salazar’s clutch field goal with two seconds left sealed the win for San Diego, leaving Cal Poly to finish the night with a 2‑2 record in Big Sky play.
Upcoming Big Sky Action
Cal Poly will travel to Eastern Washington on Saturday, Sept. 26, for its next conference game. The matchup will be streamed on ESPN+ from Roos Field, with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. The Mustangs will look to bounce back and improve their standing in the league.
SBCC’s Struggles Continue
On the junior college level, the Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Vaqueros endured a 30‑0 defeat at the hands of Long Beach, extending their winless streak to four games. The Vaqueros were outgained 461‑134 in total yards and managed only two rushing yards. Long Beach’s defense dominated throughout, and the Vaqueros were unable to generate any scoring opportunities.
SBCC will host Ventura on Saturday, Sept. 26, hoping to break the skid. The game will be a chance for the Vaqueros to regroup and showcase improvements on both sides of the ball.
Other Local Results
In the Citrus Cup, Moorpark snapped a 17‑game losing streak with a 28‑27 overtime win over Ventura. Sirwan Evans connected with Anthony Garcia for an 11‑yard touchdown in OT, and Braden Graham answered with a 22‑yard strike for the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Hancock Bulldogs defeated Santa Ana 21‑14, with Nuhsi Valenti rushing for two touchdowns and Cruz Palabucki adding another ground score.
These games highlight the competitive spirit of Central Coast football, from Division I programs to junior colleges, and underscore the importance of local support for student‑athletes pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.
Community Impact
College football remains a unifying event for families and faith‑centered communities across Santa Barbara County. Games provide opportunities for parents to gather, for local businesses to benefit from increased foot traffic, and for young athletes to model perseverance and teamwork—values that resonate deeply with our community’s traditions.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
